— Something like that. It’s not my first time. I’ll manage, of course, if there are materials. — Ivy couldn’t help smiling at the new nickname. Well, if she had to be a tame little animal, then better under this elf’s roof. She hadn’t dealt with elven ladies before, but she liked this one. Straightforward, open, swore a lot, and, as they said, didn’t give a damn what anyone thought.

  As for repairs, Ivy had dealt with those more than once. It had been harder in childhood, but driven by sticks and her father’s poker, she learned fairly quickly. When she and her father had first moved to the simple village, there had only been empty houses and a need for working hands to fill them.

  — Well, that’s just wonderful. My first worker! Ivy — the naughty little beaver! How’s that? Sounds like crap to me. Eh, whatever, we’ll think of something better later.

  The elf was slowly coming out from behind the table. She spoke as if to herself and saw nothing wrong with it, not shy about her language. The last rays of the Sun Palace barely reached the girls through the small but numerous windows.

  — How did you even know I needed extra hands, funny little badger?

  — I think it’s not bad. — Ivy smirked. Some old man from a town near the mountains had once called her a beaver. He’d been nice enough, but not half as good as this elf.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  The peasant turned her head toward the windows, her gaze lingering on the fading light. Her fingers tapped lightly against her hips. At the last question, she smiled again. The truth probably wouldn’t please the elf much. Though who knew.

  — Probably just lucky that one very charming elf bullshitted me and said there was a brothel here. Not a little, not a lot — and everywhere else they told me to get lost. Oh, by the way! You still haven’t told me your name.

  — I’m the fucking Yanael, — the blonde answered in an almost masculine voice. — Believe me, you’ve never met anyone like me in your life, kid.

  She yawned wide, not caring about manners, then shook her head like a wet dog, pacing across the old floor with lazy steps.

  — A brothel, you say? Someone fed you that shit? Wasn’t this some kind of scrap metal point before? And hey — what the hell did you need a brothel for, little otter?

  Coming up to Ivy, the elf grabbed the fabric of her clothes, pulling her closer and pressing against her with her bare chest. Her smug face was right next to the peasant’s, almost touching nose to nose.

  — If you’re looking for some fun, I won’t even charge you.

  She immediately let the dark-skinned girl go and sharply hopped back, continuing her strange pacing.

  Ivy blinked in confusion but almost at once smirked again, leaning her hip against the nearby table. So she had bought this building. Probably recently. The woman’s sudden closeness had left behind warmth and a faint scent of steel — as if the very owner of the place should smell of iron, fun, and tobacco. The peasant kept her composure and probably didn’t even blush, though it felt unusual.

  — No need, but thanks. I bet plenty would dream of being in my place. — The dark-skinned girl shrugged, then began to examine the room more carefully. — By the way, Yanael, can I stay here for the night? I’ll start work first thing in the morning. I bet hauling the materials alone will take half the day.

  — Suit yourself. But as you can see, there’s nowhere to sleep. They didn’t leave me a damn thing except this idiot table. Fucking great. I’ll be sleeping right on the floor.

  Yanael tapped her foot against the cold stone and grimaced at the thought of having to sleep on it.

  — Later I’ll buy carpets and cover this whole mess. Or maybe I should do something else, you scruffy little squirrel?

  https://discord.gg/kECspnsazM